GHNS Illinois Budget (4/24/08)

Thursday

Apr 24, 2008 at 12:01 AMApr 24, 2008 at 10:45 PM

GHNS Illinois Budget (4/24/08)

Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at www.gatehousenewsservice.com. Please check www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news in the evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.

If your paper has a story, digest item, opinion piece or standalone photo to share, please e-mail it to Illinois@gatehousemedia.com.

Ethical/Legal call: GateHouse Media will hold a conference call Tuesday with media lawyer Robert A. Bertsche. The call begins at 11 a.m. Eastern and is open to all GateHouse newsroom staffers.
http://www.ghnewsroom.com/news.php?newsid=1208980522

Behind the Story: Web first with a twister. How the Neosho (Mo.) News dealt with a tornado after the paper had already been put to bed. http://www.ghnewsroom.com/blogs.php?bid=163

Writing coach: Read Casey Laughman’s writing coach blog at http://www.ghnewsroom.com/blogs.php?aid=16. Updated every Monday afternoon. This week’s topic: What to do when the big story turns out to be not so big after all.

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

Roscoe jewelry designer makes name for herself with Hollywood crowd

ROSCOE – When Lori Frantz-Koenig flips through the pages of a celebrity magazine these days, it’s not because she’s interested in Hollywood gossip. She’s checking out the celebs’ jewelry -- which might have been designed by her. By Elizabeth Davies of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1838790175

STATE BRIEFS: News from around the state. Will be posted this evening.

MASTER GARDENERS: Master Gardeners is another program in serious jeopardy because of the cutoff of funding for soil & water conservation service. By Doug Finke of the State Capitol bureau.

JUNIOR PROGRAMS: Extension funding problems may threaten programs that are traditionally a big part of the state fair. By Doug Finke of the State Capitol bureau.

Accused man's sister says missing woman ran off

BELVIDERE – Though Wednesday’s hearing was a minor episode on the road to a first-degree murder trial, it was emotionally grueling for the families of Aaron and Brynn Null. Both sides want justice, although each has a different definition of it. By Kevin Haas of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x828492755

Coalition pushes for support of capital plan

NAPERVILLE – It has been nearly a decade since the Illinois General Assembly passed a capital bill to address the state’s deteriorating infrastructure. By Dan Petrella of Suburban Life Publications.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1041579625

Sale of bankrupt ethanol plant approved

PEORIA – A federal bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of Central Illinois Energy to Credit Suisse, the agent bank for financing of the unfinished ethanol plant. By Brenda Rothert of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1838790113

Goats can stay, but poultry must go

SPRINGFIELD – A Sangamon County judge has decided that two residents of Frey subdivision who kept chickens, ducks, geese and other animals in their back yard can keep their goats, but the poultry must go. By Chris Wetterich of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1041579563

Work begins on plant site, but plans not yet known

SPRINGFIELD – Whatever is to become of the former Cargill/Pillsbury plant on the northeast side of Springfield, the work has begun. By Tim Landis of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1658001144

Medicaid cuts could mean big trouble for Illinois

PEORIA – Proposed changes on how the federal government would fund Medicaid could cost Illinois an estimated 10,800 jobs and $418.8 million in lost wages, according to a report from a health care advocacy group. By Frank Radosevich II of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x883023512

Residents not happy with AT&T boxes in yards

SPRINGFIELD – AT&T has upset some Springfield residents with its plans to install nearly 100 utility boxes around the city, some of them in people’s yards. By Chris Wetterich of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x883023537

BRITT: The prayers are flying at Blagojevich’s prayer breakfast. Will be posted this evening.

Michelle Teheux: Reach out and touch an automated voice-recognition system

Raise your hand if you’ve had it with the voice-recognition customer “service” systems that so many companies are using these days.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x317101499

Phil Luciano: Mystified by manly endeavors

Guys, can't we help each other out? Please. Turn off the lawn mower. Now.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x292021208

ILLINOIS FEATURES
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news

Sign here, please: Son surprises celebrity-loving mom with autographs

To mark her 65th year, son Jerry Wolski wanted to give his Hollywood-obsessed mother the perfect gift. So he spent about a year and half mailing out autograph requests on her behalf. By Jessica Young of Suburban Life Publications.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x292021125

Home School: Building trades students get hands-on experience in home construction

PEKIN – While their classmates study at Pekin Community High School, 25 teenagers gather in an unoccupied house. Music plays from the radio. A buzz of activity fills the rooms. No, these students aren't skipping school. Actually, they're building a home in the Hickory Hills subdivision. By Ryan Ori of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1319860791

MIKE NADEL: A column from Thursday night’s Yankees-White Sox game. Will be posted about 10:30 p.m.

ILLINI: CHAMPAIGN – Former Illinois football stars Rashard Mendenhall and J Leman spent the past couple months promoting themselves to NFL scouts before the draft that begins Saturday. A one-year wonder, Mendenhall has little wear and tear, while Leman just wants a chance. By John Supinie. Moving this evening.

Jane Miller: Danica helps lift IndyCar racing

For a change, it's a good time to be in IndyCar racing. Already riding high from the unification, then Graham Rahal's first victory, the series got its biggest boost yet with Danica Patrick's win late Saturday night at Motegi, Japan.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x317100562

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